Srinagar: In a special meeting held on Thursday, the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), Jammu & Kashmir, raised alarm over several pressing public issues and urged the government to take prompt and meaningful action to address them.
Top among the concerns was the overburdened healthcare system in Srinagar. The group noted that despite the establishment of new medical colleges, hospitals in Srinagar continued to be overcrowded due to a lack of specialized medical facilities at the district level. “The gaps in district-level healthcare must be urgently addressed to reduce the suffering of patients forced to travel long distances for treatment,” the group said in a statement.
The GCC also reiterated the need for strict enforcement of the ban on private practice by doctors employed in government medical institutions, including medical colleges and SKIMS. Additionally, the group called for the establishment of dedicated cancer hospitals in both Srinagar and Jammu, citing the growing burden of cancer-related diseases in the region.
Concerns over land use and agriculture priorities
The group expressed deep concern over the widespread and unchecked conversion of agricultural land for construction purposes. Highlighting the critical role of agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture in Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, the group emphasized that these sectors must be protected and promoted as they remain key contributors to GDP, employment, and rural livelihoods.
In this regard, the GCC recommended that the government promote innovative farming practices such as vertical farming, greenhouse-based agriculture during winter, and indoor cultivation of crops like mushrooms and select vegetables and fruits.
Skilling, technology gaps, and environmental degradation
Raising another red flag, the GCC stated that skilling and startup policies in J&K were currently inadequate and unaligned with the scale of unemployment. The group lamented the absence of robust training programs in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), which have seen increased focus in other states.
The group also criticized the deteriorating state of water bodies, which are reportedly becoming dumping grounds for all kinds of solid waste. “There is an urgent need to shift public perception on the use of non-biodegradable materials,” the statement said, while also urging the government to adopt and enforce comprehensive policies based on the four Rs of solid waste management – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.
Cautious on railway expansion, supportive of connectivity projects
While the GCC welcomed the extension of the Katra-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line up to Kupwara and supported similar rail expansions to Rajouri and Poonch, it called for careful scrutiny of any new lateral railway extensions within the Valley. The group warned that such projects could endanger large tracts of agricultural land and existing human settlements.
The GCC concluded its deliberations with a call for more responsive governance, urging both civil society and the administration to work together to ensure sustainable development and protection of the region’s vital resources.
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